Oct. 2, 2005
By Roger Deacon
Purdue Sports Information
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermakers improved to 3-1 this season against nationally ranked opponents with a 1-0 triumph over No. 22 Michigan Sunday at the Varsity Soccer Complex. Freshman Jessica Okoroafo scored the game-winner in the 60th minute off assists from Jordyn Shaffer and Parrissa Eyorokon.
In addition to knocking off the Wolverines, the Boilermakers have also beaten No. 19 Nebraska and No. 24 Kansas. Their lone loss to a nationally ranked opponent came last Sunday at No. 2 Penn State.
The victory, which extended the Boilermakers' home-winning streak to six games, lifted their overall record to 7-5 and 3-1 in the Big Ten Conference. The Wolverines, losers of two conference matches this weekend, dropped to 5-4-2 overall, and 1-2 against the conference.
Sunday's match was expected to be an offensive showcase between two of the highest scoring teams in the Big Ten, but instead turned into a defensive struggle. The two teams combined for 19 shots and only four corner kicks as Lauren Mason pitched her second complete game shutout of the year on four saves.
Mason's Wolverine counterpart Megan Tuura made five saves in the losing effort.
Purdue head coach Rob Klatte was especially proud of his defense, which he believes is getting better game by game.
"We played well defensively, with our back line locking up their attack," said Klatte, whose teams had never beaten both Michigan schools over one weekend. "We allowed only one strong scoring chance and we were able to stop that."
Purdue's toughest stretch defensively came during the minutes following Okoroafo's goal. After falling behind on the scoreboard, the Wolverines marched down the field and received a free kick deep in their attacking zone, but Danelle Underwood's freebie hit one of her teammates in the back at the left post.
The Wolverines weren't done pressing, though. Seconds later another free kick by Underwood was headed out by Shaffer, then Melissa Dobbyn's boot from the 18-yard corner was pushed over the net by Mason. That save set up a Judy Coffman corner kick that was cleared out by Kim Comisar.
Michigan challenged twice down the stretch. Mason first fought off Therese Heaton in the 18-yard box to cover up a loose ball, and with three minutes remaining, Eyorokon helped clear out another Wolverine corner kick.
The Wolverine defense was almost as effective, with their lone blemish being Okoroafo's goal. The score was initiated by a Tuura goal kick, which was headed back perfectly by Shaffer. Eyorokon scooped the ball inside the circle, then raced down the left side before slotting it over to Okoroafo. Tuura left the net to challenge the freshman, who took advantage of the wide-open net.
The goal is Okoroafo's seventh of the season, placing her two behind Lauren Sesselmann's freshman record of nine. Chrissy Creamer (1998), Annette Kent (2000) and Jennie Moppert (2000) also scored seven goals during their rookie campaigns.
"For being a freshman, Jessica is great at finishing in front of the net," said Klatte. "With Eyorokon and (Jill) Sarbaugh attacking from midfield, defenders have been forced to play them, and that has given Jessica quality looks."
Quality looks were few and far between, as the Boilermakers searched for an insurance goal late in the match. Purdue's best chance to score again was a Sesselmann diagonal from the left corner that Tuura made a diving save on. As the Wolverines clamped down on the Purdue attack inside the 18-yard line, they made it nearly impossible for the Boilermakers to connect on any crosses or forward passes, which were key in Friday's 5-1 win over Michigan State.
Purdue plays its next three matches on the road, starting next Sunday at Ohio State. The following weekend, Purdue visits Wisconsin (Oct. 14) and Northwestern (Oct. 16).